The mockingbirds are being decimated, along with all the other song birds, by Ravens. Mockingbirds are very territorial and will protect their nests by attacking predatory birds like Ravens. Ravens are smart though and one will draw the bird off the nest and another will go in and get the eggs or chicks. Ravens also have wiped out the desert tortoise as well. I say put a bounty on them to keep them in check. They have no natural enemies.

Edna Gillum

03-Jul-2016 04:07

I know exactly what birds your talking about. I assumed they were a raven but they are extremely loud, aggressive, will chase all the birds away trying to steal all the feed i put out oft them. Whats crazier they will dive bomb me..lol. I laugh but its kind of new behavior as far as i have experienced with birds. I just wish they'd stay out of sparrows nests and eating all their food. I have never had so many birds that normally are at the beach up here. pigeons, crows or and ravens. And their so annoying, I don't mean to sound cruel but they are. They have got into our gardens and won't allow the sparrows to enjoy eating and greeting. Those black birds are living in that big palm tree by the big wires and they constantly fight one another. There loud, obnoxious and i could do without a family of them moving in.

Kelly

15-Feb-2016 22:43

Can anyone tell me what these new birds I've been seeing in my neighborhood (Serra Mesa). They're a little smaller then the crows and screech like the flying monkeys in Wizard of Oz. Only 3 years ago they're were a few and now there are about 25 flying together. I can never get close enough. Please I'm so curious.

Duffy

01-Aug-2015 16:39

I have a small bird that feeds on the ornamental grasses... lands on a stem and plucks the seeds right off the plant. It has a light brown back and cap, a nearly black face and beak, and beautifully speckled breast that almost looks like a checkboard. The speckling does not fade... but is extends all the way underneath. I cannot find a picture that resembles it. Can anyone identify

Kent

07-May-2015 07:40

I had a small bird get into my house. Mostly brown with a burnt red head and long beak. I was able to coax it out again. Just wondering what type it was. I should have taken a picture before I ushered it out.

Sandra

13-Mar-2015 23:19

Saw a bird in San Marcos, almost dove looking, with yellow/orange legs, brown with dark spots on their back. Can't see it in the photo gallery.

Brianna

08-Dec-2013 05:02

You're missing one bird: The green parrots I'm not sure if they're native though. They migrate here every year.

John Mortimer

05-Aug-2013 20:40

Thanks for the pics--beautiful. Scanning your photos, and also lists of locally-seen birds from the Natural History Museum and others, I've concluded that the birds my friend and I spotted this past Saturday are unusual for the area. We were biking along the Sweetwater River and spotted a small flock (twenty or so)of pure-white birds that appeared to be doves or pigeons, though we hadn't ever seen white varieties of either bird (I've got about 60 years, here). Most likely they were 'release birds' but that begs the question: If they were homing pigeons, why didn't they home? And if they were indeed doves (an expensive gesture), why were they staying as a flock? Or is this latter behavior typical? Sorry I couldn't find another online site to ask these questions, but thought perhaps you would be interested.

Tom

02-Aug-2012 16:55

Thanks for this beautiful site. I have daily visits to my hummingbird feeder by a male and female (the "ugly one")Hooded Oriole and had no idea what kind of birds they were until finding this site. Again, thank you!

Frans Rosmalen

28-Jun-2012 15:21

These pictures are awesome. I enjoyed a couple of hours watching these pictures.
Thanks a lot for sharing.

Kerry

06-Jun-2012 02:55

I am amazed how many different types of birds there are in San Diego County. There is a Hawks nest in my Eucalyptus tree with three youngsters in it. Its been fun watching them grow up and getting ready to leave the nest.

suzanne

26-Mar-2012 15:23

Thank you for the wonderful birds.My friend and I have been trying to identify two different birds. Now we know! Thank you very much!

Lynn

09-Sep-2011 14:24

These are the loveliest bird photos I've ever seen. Thanks for helping me identify some of my backyard visitors.

Guest

01-Aug-2011 22:08

Fernando, yes there are many Mocking birds in San Diego.

Barbara Lambrecht

26-May-2011 00:58

This is a great gallery....just gorgeous. Thank you so much. Although I know quite a few of the names of the birds, how can I ID those that I don't know?

Tami

16-Apr-2011 14:29

WOW great site it helped me locate a beautiful bird it turns out be a Hooded Oriel flying around in my canyon. Thank you.

Fernando A

21-Mar-2011 04:31

are there mockingbirds in San Diego?
I wonder because I always hear this bird that makes so many sounds...and I wonder if it is this one or which one it is.
Would really appreciate it.
Oh...Love the pics!
really helpful as well.

Guest

19-Feb-2011 08:06

Thank you so much for this wonderful site. Love lookin and trying to identify what is eating and nesting in my yard!

Guest

10-Jun-2010 04:48

Thanks for this site. Have lots of birds, want to identify. This will be a great help. You have done all us sd county bird lovers a big favor!

DeNeice

01-Jun-2010 18:19

One of these flew up to my hummingbird feeder yesterday. Reeeeally Nice to be able to ID it! Thanks for this page. I so muich love watching the birds at the feeders outside my kitchen window. ;)) i want to know what they are now.

David DiCicco

02-May-2010 23:37

wonderful photos

Greg

02-Dec-2009 06:16

I find that either the site whatbird.com or the cornell.edu bird site are wonderful references which help one identify what is what. However, I believe both may be somewhat limited to birds of North America so for the rest of the world you might have to seek other references.

dianne

22-Jun-2009 20:35

I love the photos and see birds which come to our feeders. How do we identify the names?

Guest

04-Jun-2009 06:41

Love your site and pictures. We have lots of new varieties of birds at our feeders and would like to find out how to identify them. You have some in your pictures- which are just beautifully done. If you can remommend a place to identify local birds, we would really appreciate it. Thanks. Jay

Guest

23-May-2007 21:08

Some winners among this extensive collection!
Ron Green/www.avianpix.com

I had virtually no interest in birdlife, but I have looked at nearly every image in your galleries and thoroughly enjoyed your brilliant images. Now where's that bird spotting book I had as a kid.....?